Cheapest Online Business Administration Degrees of 2025

Undergraduates pursue business more than any other major in the U.S. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), colleges granted 375,400 business degrees in 2020-2021, accounting for roughly 19% of the total 2.0 million degrees awarded that year.

While earning your degree can be expensive, the cheapest online business administration programs can allow you to continue working while you study, helping you save money and increase your return on investment.

There was a time when there were a large number of naysayers of online education, says Norma Feriz-Gordon, a high school postsecondary planning counselor. An online bachelor’s degree in business provides a timesaving opportunity that enables students to work full time and manage other responsibilities.

Check out our ranking of the cheapest online business degrees. Learn more about tuition and find tips to make your education more affordable.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Tuition rates for online bachelor’s in business administration programs vary depending on the school. A student’s residency status may also influence what they pay — institutions tend to charge in-state students lower tuition than out-of-state learners.

The type of university also matters, as private schools often cost more than public institutions. Colleges often set cheaper rates for online learners. In fact, many online programs do not charge out-of-state residents higher tuition than in-state residents when they study virtually.

When calculating the true cost of an online program, students should factor in additional fees on top of tuition, such as for room and board, technology, and transportation.

You can make the cheapest online business degree even more affordable by using resources accessible to all college students. Begin by visiting your school’s financial aid office and completing the necessary paperwork to assess available financial aid.

Students who need federal financial aid — either loans or grants — to help pay for college must first submit the FAFSA. This online form requires personal financial information from independent and dependent students to determine their eligibility for aid. Students must submit their FAFSA no later than June 30 of every year.

Students can take out federal and/or private loans. The federal government offers parent and student loans, often with lower interest rates than private loans provided by banks, credit unions, and colleges. Federal loans also do not require co-signers if students have poor credit.

Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need can apply for federally subsidized loans, which do not accrue interest until after graduation. Parents of undergraduates can also apply for additional money through Direct PLUS loans.

Both the federal government and state governments offer students grants to help pay for tuition. Grants differ from loans because they typically do not need to be repaid. However, grants may come with stipulations, such as work commitments. The federal government offers Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants to students who show exceptional financial need.

Another option to earn money for school is federal work-study programs. These programs allow undergraduate and graduate students to work part time for a paycheck, which they can put toward tuition or other fees associated with their education. If available, programs allow students to work in their field of study.

Scholarships, much like grants, do not require repayment. Students can find scholarships through their financial aid office or their local community foundation. Schools, state governments, nonprofits, companies, and individuals also establish trusts to award scholarships to students to meet eligibility requirements. Scholarships may only go to business majors or students who meet GPA and financial need requirements.

Most business programs consist of 120 credits, which include general education and elective courses. Colleges may accept transfer credits based on work or life experience. Internships in your field of interest can count as core credits, giving you the opportunity to work with a mentor.

Many affordable online business degree programs allow students to specialize their education depending on their specific goals and interests. Popular concentrations include accounting, finance, hospitality, international business, and management. Deciding on a specialization, however, can be tricky.

A good first step is researching the positions you are interested in or even learning which positions are available based on the degree you would be earning, says Feriz-Gordon. As you begin to tune into the roles available for that career trajectory, you can fine-tune the actual major or specific program that you pursue.

Students enrolled in this course study laws that govern contracts, employment discrimination, product liability, and sales. A business law course surveys the history of the U.S. legal system as it relates to the operation of small and large businesses. Lessons may also cover business ethics. Degree-seekers specializing in human resources also study employment law.

A course on marketing principles teaches students how to use marketing and consumer research to make informed decisions about launching products and services. Students learn about promotional campaigns, product planning, and pricing. The course also covers consumer behaviors, pricing strategies, and identifying target markets.

Business professionals need strong interpersonal and professional communication skills. Degree-seekers pursuing an online bachelor’s in business administration often take public speaking courses, sometimes called oral communication, to learn about communication theories and practices. Students practice public speaking through presentations and learn informative and persuasive public speaking techniques.

This course teaches students how to lead an organization and its team members. Materials cover how to apply management theories to a business environment. Topics covered include ethics, corporate structure, decision-making, organizational structure, and strategic management. Students also learn business management terminology and the role of a manager in an organization, particularly the decision-making process.

Business majors often take finance courses covering corporate and personal financial principles. Students learn how to apply financial theories to solve problems within companies and how to use financial managerial tools. Lessons also teach business analytics, international financial management, and entrepreneurial finance.

Do not expect less rigorous admission standards for an online bachelor’s in business administration degree. Business schools often ask for standard application materials from students — whether they take online or on-campus courses.

A candidate can apply as a first-year student right out of high school or, in some cases, as a transfer applicant with 12-60 transferable credits.

Application requirements for an online bachelor’s degree program depend on a candidate’s standing. Programs offer pathways for second bachelor’s applicants, transfer students, or first-year applicants. Candidates submit their applications online with a fee of $40-$65. Some online programs do not charge application fees.

Admissions committees may require incoming students to take an entrance exam to measure their language and math proficiency. The specific test required depends on the program and a student’s status. First-year candidates may need to submit SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students who have prior college credits do not typically take an entrance exam.

International students may need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

Professors, supervisors, mentors, or school counselors write letters of recommendation attesting to a student’s abilities, accomplishments, and goals. Applicants commonly submit 1-3 letters of recommendation. Be sure to ask for letters of recommendation far in advance to give writers plenty of time.

Most schools ask applicants to write an essay or personal statement. An application may include prompts, asking specific questions about your personal life or academic experience. Essays are your chance to stand out from other potential enrollees. Write your essay with enough time to spare so you can ask someone to look it over. Pay special attention to grammar and spelling.

All colleges require students to submit official transcripts. Students applying to college straight from high school as well as community college students must submit their academic records. This is usually free or costs a nominal fee of about $5-$20.

When an online bachelor’s in business administration program requires a minimum GPA, transcripts serve as academic proof. If candidates do not meet GPA requirements, schools may extend conditional admittance, if applicants agree to take an entrance exam.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects business and financial occupations to grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032. The Bureau projects the creation of 911,400 new jobs during that time.

Graduates with bachelor’s in business administration degrees can work as operations managers, human resource managers, financial analysts, and bank managers. Professionals can find work at banks, healthcare organizations, hotels, insurance firms, and real estate brokerages.